Blues Legend John Mayall Comes to the Colonial

The founder and longtime front man of the infamous “John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers,” Mayall dominated the great English blues scene of the ’60s and beyond. The Bluesbreakers became a fertile breeding ground for the likes of Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones), Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood (all of Fleetwood Mac) and Jack Bruce (Cream). Having released more than 60 albums, many of which are classics, Mayall represents the epitome of endurance in the world of blues.

Delving deep into his archives, Mayall’s latest effort includes the best of his never-before-released live recordings, handpicked by him personally, showcasing a variety of incarnations of his band from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.

“I was going through old tapes and decided there is so much great stuff in there,” says Mayall. “There are some real gems that I thought were too good to just sit in a cupboard. So, I started to put some of them together as a CD, and then it just lead to a set of three. I’m very happy with how it came out. When you don’t know that you are being recorded, you definitely play differently, more relaxed, and some things come out a lot better than when you are consciously recording. So, I’m very happy with them.”

Currently fronting a band featuring Rocky Athas (guitar), Greg Rzab (bass), Tom Canning (keyboards), and Jay Davenport (drums), Mayall is enjoying himself more than ever.

“I don’t think about my age,” says Mayall. “I consider myself lucky that I’m in really good health. I don’t feel any differently than I did 15 years ago. I enjoy playing music so much, especially with the guys I’m with now. We’ve been together nearly five years now, and it’s amazing the energy that comes out. It’s just a joy to get together and play. We do over 100 shows a year all over the world. We just love playing with each other. It never gets stale.

“I hope people come away energized and excited,” added Mayall. “That’s the way it is for us. We have a great time and want to share that feeling.”

Mayall didn’t seriously embark on his musical journey until the age of 30. Having spent the latter part of the ’50s and early ’60s dabbling in music on a part-time basis, it wasn’t until he moved to London in the mid-60s that he began playing full time under the name “John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.” Capturing the attention of Eric Clapton, who had recently left the “Yardbirds,” led to the popular guitarist joining with the Bluesbreakers.

Clapton and Mayall forged a professional and personal friendship that continues today. The Mayall-Clapton combination produced the band’s first hit record, “Bluesbreakers,” and elevated Mayall to immediate global notoriety. In time, Mayall garnered a reputation for attracting musical talent toward his Chicago-style blues. Clapton is quoted as saying “John Mayall has actually run an incredibly great school for musicians.”

As the ’60s came to a close, Mayall attained success in America with the 1969 release of “The Turning Point,” earning him his only Gold record and featuring his signature piece, “Room To Move.”

“I’ve had three major guitar players in England — Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor,” recalls Mayall. “So that was a wonderful chapter — jumping into the unknown with the drummer-less outfit — which became the turning point. That was a big boost to my career, so that was very important — the birth of the ‘Room to Move,’ which has become something of a standard for me over the years. My whole career is dotted with these wonderful experiences — playing with all the great musicians that I’ve chosen.”

With the arrival of the ’70s came a relocation of Mayall’s permanent residence from England to Los Angeles, where he resides to this day. Mayall has spent the past three decades working with numerous artists from rock, jazz and blues, including John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker and Sonny Boy Williamson. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s Mayall toured and recorded with abandon. Notable artists — including Buddy Guy, Billy Preston, Jeff Healey and Albert Collins — lined up for a chance to work with the blues legend.

In 2001, he reunited with former band mates Mick Taylor, Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood to record the “Along for the Ride” album. The remainder of the decade saw the release of more studio albums, concert DVDs and the 2007 commercial release of the BBC TV documentary “The Godfather of the British Blues.”

“I’ve always been in control of my career, and I’ve always been allowed to go my own way right from the very beginning,” says Mayall. “Decca, which was my first record company, I don’t think totally understood what I was doing, but they did allow me the freedom to just say, ‘We don’t understand it, but go ahead and do what you want.’ So I’ve always had that freedom, which is great.”

“There are so many things that have happened in my career over the years,” says Mayall. “I’m very happy with the way it’s all turned out. It is quite remarkable when you start adding it up. I’ve always had a great time with music, and I continue to do so.”

John Mayall performs at the Colonial Theatre; located at 227 Bridge St. in Phoenixville, this Friday at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $29.50 to $39.50 and are available at the Colonial Theatre Box Office by calling 610-917-1228 or online at www.ticketturtle.com. All ages are welcome at the Colonial. To stay up to date on all future shows go to www.thecolonialtheatre.com.